Mystery shopping is a legitimate way to make money; however, if you received a large check and were told to wire money somewhere, don't do anything until you read about mystery shopping scams.

What Day Will You Do the Mystery Shop?

Posted on March 22nd, 2010 in Dealing with Mystery Shopping Companies,Mystery Shopper Jobs by Cathy Stucker

Question from a mystery shopper:

I am puzzled by something I sometimes see when applying for shops. There will be a date range for completing the shop (e.g., It must be done between 3/1 and 3/10) and they will ask on what day I will do the shop if it is assigned to me.

They have already said it has to be between the first and the tenth. What do they want me to say? Do they want me to give a specific date? Or just say that I will do it between 3/1 and 3/10? Or can I just ignore the question?

What if the date I plan to do the shop changes after it is assigned to me? Do I need to let the scheduler know?

There are several reasons for asking on what date you will complete the shop. The best answer to give will depend on how the scheduler plans to use the information; however, there are some “safe” answers that will almost always be acceptable.
…continue reading What Day Will You Do the Mystery Shop?

Shopping Addiction and Mystery Shopping

Posted on March 15th, 2010 in Hazards of Mystery Shopping by Cathy Stucker

Shopping addicts may love the idea of mystery shopping, but does being a mystery shopper present too much temptation for someone who can not control their shopping and spending? If you consistently overspend on mystery shopper jobs and other shopping trips, you may be a compulsive shopper.

What is Shopping Addiction?

Shopping addictions take many forms. We all buy things, but shopping addicts:

  • shop to make themselves feel better
  • buy things they don’t need (and don’t use)
  • spend money they don’t have, running up debts
  • may hide their purchases from friends and family

Some shopping addicts buy certain types of items, such as shoes or electronics, while others will buy just about anything. Shopaholics may also indulge in other compulsive behaviors, such as overeating, problem drinking or gambling.

Anyone can indulge in inappropriate spending at times, and the occasional trip to the mall when you feel down does not mean you have a shopping addiction. …continue reading Shopping Addiction and Mystery Shopping

Good Mystery Shopper Karma

Posted on March 8th, 2010 in Dealing with Mystery Shopping Companies by Cathy Stucker

A simple definition of karma is that what you put out comes back to you. If you do good things, you receive good things in return. And if you do bad things, you can expect negative consequences.

As a mystery shopper, you can attract good karma (high report scores, more assignments, better paying assignments, etc.) or bad karma (low scores, fewer assignments, or even being deactivated.

Maintaining good mystery shopper karma means doing your job well, and being helpful to schedulers, editors and other mystery shopping company representatives. Here are some of the ways you can keep good mystery shopper karma flowing.
…continue reading Good Mystery Shopper Karma

I Was Spotted as the Mystery Shopper – What Now?

Posted on March 1st, 2010 in Secret Shopper How-To,Sticky Secret Shopper Situations by Cathy Stucker

Question from a mystery shopper:

I have been doing mystery shops at the same location of a store once a month for several months now. I think they have figured out that I am the mystery shopper. What should I do?

First of all, they may not have figured out that you are the mystery shopper. You may be misinterpreting a look or a comment, or you may just be a little paranoid! ;o)

You may have heard employees say that they can always spot the mystery shopper. Don’t believe it! Often, the things they pick up on are not things a secret shopper would do, such as being difficult or causing a scene.

Here are some questions to ask yourself to determine if you really have been spotted as the secret shopper, and what to do if you believe you were. …continue reading I Was Spotted as the Mystery Shopper – What Now?